As a CEO or entrepreneur, you know that strong marketing leadership is key to driving growth.

But what happens when your business isn’t quite ready to hire a full-time Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)?

You might find yourself deciding between two popular alternatives: a fractional CMO or a strategic advisor. But what’s the real difference, and how do you choose which one is right for your business?

I hear this question all the time, especially from B2B SaaS leaders. Having worked extensively in both roles, I’ve seen how each option can deliver value — but they’re designed for different business needs. In this post, I’ll break down the differences between a fractional CMO and a strategic advisor, outline the benefits of each, and help you determine which path makes the most sense for your business in 2024.

What Is a Fractional CMO?

A fractional CMO is more than just a consultant — they function as a key player on your leadership team, deeply involved in your company’s day-to-day operations. This role is called “fractional” because, rather than being a full-time employee, they dedicate a set number of days or hours per week to your business. They are a marketing leader embedded in your organization for a specific amount of time, offering both strategic direction and tactical execution.

Fractional CMOs work side-by-side with your internal teams and external contractors to drive forward key marketing initiatives. They lead the charge on everything from demand generation to brand positioning and product marketing. Essentially, a fractional CMO owns your marketing outcomes. They don’t just provide advice — they take responsibility for making sure your marketing activities are moving the needle and delivering results.

For businesses ready to scale their marketing operations, this hands-on approach can be invaluable. Fractional CMOs not only help you develop a robust marketing strategy but also ensure that the strategy is executed effectively. They work closely with your team to turn ideas into action, managing the day-to-day operations while keeping their eye on long-term growth goals.

Key Benefits of a Fractional CMO:

• Hands-On Leadership: A fractional CMO doesn’t just offer advice; they’re in the trenches with your team, helping execute marketing initiatives.
• Strategic and Tactical: They balance high-level strategic thinking with on-the-ground execution, ensuring marketing campaigns are well-planned and implemented.
• Flexibility: Since they work on a part-time basis, you get access to senior-level marketing expertise without the full-time commitment and salary.
• Accountability: Fractional CMOs are results-driven, taking ownership of marketing performance and adjusting strategies as needed.

What Is a Strategic Advisor?

A strategic advisor, on the other hand, offers a more high-level, external perspective. Their role is to guide your leadership team or marketing department in refining strategies, optimizing processes, and making informed decisions. While they don’t become entangled in the daily operations of your business, they provide invaluable insight into your marketing efforts.

Strategic advisors are particularly helpful for companies that already have a marketing team in place but need someone with a wealth of experience to provide direction and help troubleshoot challenges. They might review marketing plans, assess current campaigns, or evaluate performance metrics, offering actionable advice to improve results. Strategic advisors tend to work on an ad hoc or project basis, coming in as needed to guide your team and offer fresh perspectives.

Unlike a fractional CMO, a strategic advisor typically doesn’t execute the marketing plan. Instead, they serve as an external sounding board and guide, helping you refine your approach and make smarter, more informed decisions. This option is ideal for companies that need marketing leadership but don’t necessarily require someone embedded in the business on a day-to-day basis.

Key Benefits of a Strategic Advisor:

• High-Level Guidance: Strategic advisors offer a 30,000-foot view, helping you make key decisions without getting bogged down in execution.
• Cost-Effective: Since strategic advisors usually work on a project or hourly basis, they provide senior-level expertise without the cost of a dedicated marketing executive.
• Fresh Perspective: Because they aren’t involved in daily operations, strategic advisors can offer an unbiased, objective view of your marketing efforts, identifying gaps and opportunities you might miss internally.
• Flexible Engagement: You can bring in a strategic advisor as needed, making this option more scalable for businesses still building out their marketing teams.

How Do You Choose Between a Fractional CMO and a Strategic Advisor?

The decision between hiring a fractional CMO or a strategic advisor often comes down to your company’s current needs, growth stage, and budget. Both roles can provide immense value, but they serve different purposes depending on where you are in your marketing journey.

When to Choose a Fractional CMO:

• You need hands-on marketing leadership: If your company is ready to scale, and you need a senior marketing leader who can guide strategy and oversee execution, a fractional CMO is a great fit. They can step into your business, work with your team, and take full responsibility for delivering results.
• Your marketing efforts are critical to growth: When marketing plays a central role in your business’s growth plan, having someone to drive initiatives forward quickly and strategically is essential. A fractional CMO provides the expertise to take your marketing to the next level without the cost of a full-time hire.
• You need consistent oversight: If your marketing team needs ongoing leadership and you don’t have a full-time CMO, a fractional CMO will ensure your campaigns are consistently managed, optimized, and aligned with your business goals.

When to Choose a Strategic Advisor:

• You need expert guidance but not day-to-day involvement: If your company has a solid marketing team but could benefit from strategic input, a strategic advisor can offer direction without becoming embedded in daily operations.
• You’re still building out your marketing capabilities: For smaller businesses or startups, investing in a full-time marketing leader might not make sense yet. A strategic advisor can help guide you in the right direction without the commitment of a fractional or full-time CMO.
• You need periodic course corrections: A strategic advisor is ideal when your team needs an external perspective to help them recalibrate, troubleshoot challenges, or adjust strategies as needed.

What’s the Best Fit for Your Business?

From my experience working with more than 100 B2B SaaS companies, the right choice often depends on your current stage of growth, marketing priorities, and the resources you’re willing to commit. If you’re ready to invest in marketing leadership to drive growth and need someone to take the reins, a fractional CMO might be the right fit. But if you’re still building your marketing capabilities and need strategic guidance rather than hands-on leadership, a strategic advisor could provide the insights you need without the full-time commitment.

Both roles have their time and place. The key is to assess where your business stands today and what kind of leadership will help you get to the next level. Whether it’s a fractional CMO or a strategic advisor, the right marketing expertise can make all the difference in helping your business scale and thrive.

If you’re weighing your options and unsure which direction to go, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help assess your situation and point you toward the right solution for your business.